2011 Bozeman Ice Festival Gearing up for the Ice Climbing Event of a Generation

2011 Bozeman Ice Festival Gearing up for the Ice Climbing Event of a Generation

12/2/11 – The renowned on-ice clinics are filling up quickly as the Arc’teryx Bozeman Ice Festival gears up for the ice climbing gathering of a lifetime. Festival participants are signing up from all over the country for what will truly be a national event. Get psyched for the festival, which will be taking place from December 7 to 11, by checking out the trailer here.

The nightly multimedia retrospective presentations, happening Dec. 9 and 10 in downtown Bozeman at the Emerson Cultural Center (111 South Grand) will bring together the community for stories from many of the sport’s greatest athletes and legends.

On Friday, Dec. 9, festival-goers will convene at the Emerson Cultural Center for a night of presentations from ice climbing’s greatest characters. Opening the festival will be the world premier of Genesis, a celebration of 40 years of ice climbing in Hyalite Canyon, featuring Montana legends Pat Callis and Chad Chadwick repeating Callis’ classic route Genesis II with Bozeman climber Pat Wolfe using vintage gear from the 1971 first ascent, featuring special footage of Yvon Chouinard discussing the invention of the modern ice axe.

Special guest Jeff Lowe will be on hand to introduce a film on his first ascent of Bridalveil Falls near Telluride, Colo. Never before seen in its entirety, this rare footage documents the ascent that pushed the limits of what was possible and truly ushered in the era of modern ice climbing. The legendary Henry Barber will also be present to share his unique climbing perspective on how the hardest ice and mixed routes of the 1970s influenced the world.

Celebrated for his return to the festival will be Canadian legend Barry Blanchard, one of the most prolific ice and alpine climbers of a generation. Kitty Calhoun also returns to Bozeman to prove it pays to “climb like a girl” on the steepest water ice routes in America.

On Saturday, after a day climbing in Hyalite Canyon, the most reliable concentration of ice in America, everyone will return to the Emerson Theater for Part II of our 40 year retrospective.

From Montreal, Bernard Mailhot will present “The Ice Connection” featuring an entertaining look at some of the greatest routes and characters in North America. Surfer turned ice climber, Bruce Hendricks also comes to Bozeman for the first time to share what it means to climb and solo on Banff’s Trophy Wall, including The Terminator (WI6+) and his routes, Sea of Vapors (WI 7+) and Troubled Dreams (M8, WI 7).

Local pioneer Kris Erickson will recount the milestone first ascent of Hyalite’s own Winter Dance (5.9, A1, WI7), by his mentor, the great Alex Lowe and the first free ascent made with Whit Magro a decade later.

While looking towards the future, the festival will proudly premier a triptych of videos representing the cutting edge and is guaranteed to inspire the next generation. Long-time friend of the fest and all-around phenom, Will Gadd, has created a unique travelogue of the world’s first M9 and M12s and beyond to the futuristic Spray On (WI10+). World Cup athlete, Gord McArthur will introduce El Matador (M12) a film by Boone Speed. Bozeman’s own Max Lowe will share his footage of Sam Elias on the first ascent of Hyalite’s Inglorious Basterds (M13), arguably the hardest route in North America.

The festival would not be complete without one final tribute to our very special guest Jeff Lowe and his incredible influence with the hardest ice and alpine routes in the world throughout the 1970s and 80s to his invention of modern mixed climbing in the 1990s and his transformative, and still unrepeated route “Metanoia” on the north face of the Eiger.

When not enjoying the finest ice climbing imagery and stories ever collected on one stage, mingle in the Emerson Ballroom, troll for belay slaves, and visit with representatives and athletes from festival sponsors Arc’teryx, Outdoor Research, Primaloft, Patagonia, Black Diamond, Sportiva, Petzl, Grivel, RAB, Scarpa and more. Beer courtesy of Big Sky Brewing with food and drink served by the Emerson Grill and proceeds going to fund the Hyalite road plowing effort. Each night the festival will present enormous gear raffles for the chance to win the best gear on the planet.

The 2011 Bozeman Ice Festival is a special opportunity to start this year’s ice climbing season and should not be missed. Evening tickets are on sale now at www.bozemanicefestival.com.

About the Bozeman Ice Festival - The Bozeman Ice Climbing Festival (BIF) mission is to promote the sport of ice climbing to people of all ages and abilities, to educate ice climbers about necessary skills and safe techniques, and introduce climbers to cutting edge clothing and equipment. 100% of any profits from the Bozeman Ice Festival are put directly towards the Friends of Hyalite, a 501c3 organization, to support winter access into Hyalite Canyon for ice climbing. www.hyalite.org The Bozeman Ice Festival has been organized by Mike Cooperstein, owner of Montana Alpine Guides www.montanaalpineguides.com and Andes Mountain Guides www.andesmountainguides.com and Joe Josephson lead guide for Montana Alpine Guides and Friends of Hyalite founder for the past 5 years.

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